Individualization of extended family bonds? An analysis of youth narratives from three Dutch generations

IF 1.8 3区社会学 Q2 FAMILY STUDIES

Family Relations Pub Date : 2025-04-11 DOI:10.1111/fare.13183

Mandy Talhout, Hilda T.A. Amsing, Peter Nikken

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Abstract

Objective

This study investigated whether individualization has affected extended family bonds.

Background

Individualization theory stipulates that extended family bonds have become more unstable over time due to a shift in the main function of the family from instrumental to emotional, and an increase in individual choice at the cost of tradition. However, little empirical research exists to support this claim.

Methods

Interviews containing youth narratives on extended family bonds collected in a primary study were analyzed. In total, the analysis included the narratives of three generations from 14 families (N = 42).

Results

The results supported assumptions regarding the waning instrumental function of extended family and the increased importance of individual choice. However, the continuing importance of traditional family contact, the absence of an increase in instability across generations, and an additional finding regarding intergenerational transmission of family values made a case against intergenerational change associated with individualization. The analysis also indicated the importance of personal, family, social and historical context.

Conclusion

The results of this study only partially support theoretical assumptions on changes in extended family bonds due to individualization.

Implications

The results underline the importance of a multileveled contextual perspective on extended family bonds in family research, policy, and practice.

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家庭纽带的个性化？荷兰三代青年叙事分析

目的探讨个性化是否影响了大家庭关系。个性化理论认为，随着时间的推移，由于家庭的主要功能从工具性转向情绪性，以及以牺牲传统为代价的个人选择的增加，大家庭的纽带变得更加不稳定。然而，很少有实证研究支持这一说法。方法对初步研究中收集的包含青年家庭纽带叙事的访谈进行分析。分析共包括14个家庭（N = 42）三代人的叙述。结果研究结果支持了关于大家庭工具功能减弱和个人选择重要性增加的假设。然而，传统家庭联系的持续重要性，代际间不稳定性的增加，以及关于家庭价值观代际传递的另一项发现，都反对与个性化相关的代际变化。分析还指出了个人、家庭、社会和历史背景的重要性。结论本研究结果仅部分支持了个体化对大家庭关系变化的理论假设。结果强调了在家庭研究、政策和实践中对大家庭纽带的多层次语境视角的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Family Relations Multiple-

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

13.60%

发文量

164

期刊介绍： A premier, applied journal of family studies, Family Relations is mandatory reading for family scholars and all professionals who work with families, including: family practitioners, educators, marriage and family therapists, researchers, and social policy specialists. The journal"s content emphasizes family research with implications for intervention, education, and public policy, always publishing original, innovative and interdisciplinary works with specific recommendations for practice.